Gjirokastër

A quiet, ancient city in the very south of Albania, the birthplace of the country's most famous writer (Ismail Kadare) and its most infamous dictator (Enver Hoxha). Surrounded by breathtaking mountains, this UNESCO World Heritage site is highly recommended for cultural thrill-seekers.

Gjirokastra has retained its charming atmosphere thanks mostly to its status as a 'museum-city' and more recently, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has two main neighborhoods, the old city and the new city. The old city is on the hill on top of which is the Gjirokastra castle, which offers magnificent views of the city and surounding valley and mountains. In the old city, there are several cobblestone streets with small shops and fascinating architecture. The dwelling houses in the neighborhood date from the early 1800s and have a unique architecture. The best way to visit one of the houses, is to visit the Ethnographic Museum, which occupies the family house of the country's former dictator. Another option is to stay at Hotel Kalemi (link below), a traditional house that has been renovated while maintaining the aesthetic and logic of the traditional architecture.